Monday, March 3, 2014

LeBron's 61


Mark this date down: March 3, 2014; the day LeBron James scored 61 points in an NBA game. Impressive? Absolutely. Meaningful? Maybe not so much. This performance nonetheless has certainly given us hoop fans something to debate for the next few days. I struggled for the most part of the first quarter trying to find an online stream to watch the game against the unlucky Bobcats (who allowed Carmelo Anthony to drop 62 on them earlier this year), and once I did, boy was I glad. LeBron put on a show, needless to say; even though many might belittle the performance claiming that "it was against the Bobcats...." If you ask me, 61 points is 61 points, regardless of who you drop it on. Lets not forget the fact that it was mostly dropped on Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, or the fact that he did it on only 33 shots. If you watched the game, you can agree that this was not an easy 61 points, as he mostly did it from long range going 8 for 10 from three. The first eleven points in the first quarter were mostly easy: lay-ups or finishes around the basket; then the three-point onslaught poured on in the second quarter, ending with twenty-four at halftime. Hot? think again, he turned it up another notch in the third quarter adding twenty-five in the quarter. I mean this was as good of a performance as I've seen live in a long long time, maybe since watching Kobe drop 81. The fourth quarter, where history was made, was not as impressive in my opinion because you could get the feeling that his teammates were pushing for him to get the record, as opposed to him getting shots in the flow of the offense like he did in the first three quarters. Nevertheless it was a great performance, and the topic of discussion until somebody else does something extremely impressive.

So what does this performance mean? For LeBron? For this Season? For his legacy? Well, if you ask me, not much.  LeBron James has and probably will always be a pass-first player for his entire NBA career.  If he wanted to go out and drop 40 every night, the man could easily do it, but it's simply not his style.  I admit, it is rare for him to explode in this fashion, but it's nothing surprising considering his talents and overall skill set. Many have gone on to make the statement that this performance puts LeBron ahead of Kevin Durant in the MVP race.  I would have to disagree, as KD's body of work this season cannot easily be shattered by the tear LeBron has been on lately.  I will however say that LeBron's peak form certainly makes this a closer competition than it was about a month ago.  What this performance DOES however indicate is that LeBron is ready for the playoffs.  LeBron has turned up his game at the perfect time, heading into the end of the regular season.  With about 25 games left in the season, he seems to have gotten his legs under him, and his conditioning back to the form we have grown accustomed to.  Even though tonight's performance was absolutely amazing, I have a feeling that the new masked man might have a couple more tricks up his sleeve.  It may not be another 60 point game, or another record breaking performance; but if he keeps shooting the ball at this rate, all I have to say is....be afraid, be very afraid NBA.

Photo credit:
www.latimes.com

16 comments:

  1. well-written. if LeBron keeps shooting like this, the one who has to be afraid is probably KD.. as he watches the MVP trophy sail away again. lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for taking the time to read! I agree, LeBron could easily take this from KD if he keeps going at this rate. For now though, the trophy is still on its way to Oklahoma.

      Delete
    2. According to the Kia MVP race, LeBron james is leading the way so ur point is invalid http://www.nba.com/mvp-ladder/

      Delete
    3. The MVP ladder is based on polls; that's not the deciding factor for who wins it. Nonetheless, I'm not psychic and can't determine who the winner will be. All I can do is share an opinion.

      Delete
  2. I think that Lebron and JD are now in a fight for the trophy. The trophy is at the cross roads with no one at this time having dominion of it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Definitely true what you said, LBJ is a pass first player, I am also sure he could go into games night in and night out and drop 40+ on teams they play, but its just not his style.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Naked Truth, you express yourself clearly, "Meaningful? Maybe not so much". It was an outrageous performance for Lebron, I personally think that is just the beginning, Lebron is a fighter and as Shaq said, there is a culture in Miami Heat about the first seed home court advantage; Lebron is just starting to reach this seed, sorry Indiana fans, here comes the Lebron, Wade, Bosh, Rio, Allen and the rest of the guys...
    K.D. Sorry my friend, may be in 2 years!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the feedback, and spoken like a true heat fan might I add.

      Delete
  5. I don't think LJ really cares about the MVP. He has plenty of them. I think he is eyeing the end of the season. He is trying to build a legacy. And his efficiency, his 60+ game, etc., are all a means to an end: getting another ring!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lebron is on fire!, but i agree when you say that KD still is the mvp. After all the improvements that he has done through this year... i mean, thought it was impossible for him to keep polishing his game

      Delete
  6. KD was always a shoot first type of guy, like Kobe. Lebron, like you said is a pass first type of player. But what he showed last night was different from what the Basketball realm is used to seeing from Bron. Sure KD had to adjust his game when Russ went out with another surgery. You forget that OKC dropped 3 straight when Russ got back. Where was KD then? Why did he not shoot the lights out? I still think King James elevated his game and he is very much an MVP taker this season too. I hope he and the heat achieve their 3-peat goal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your insight. As a LeBron fan, I certainly hope that he takes home the trophy yet again. All biases aside however; I think KD might be favored in this race, unless LeBron outplays him for the rest of the season

      Delete
  7. Xolani4RM South AfricaMarch 5, 2014 at 2:51 AM

    I hope come the big3 will separate come de end of the year it will be interesting to see how Lebron flair without wade & bosh.I'm also Lebron's fan but I think KD lead de mvp race by slight margin. It will be interesting to see how things unfold

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As a Lebron and Heat fan, I hope that the big 3 stays together. I do agree though, that KD should be the MVP this season.

      Delete